Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

[JohnK]

Im coming across more stores that have only recently incorporated surcharges.

This has to stop.

 

[Waddygib]

It will. Interchange will be cut, card issuers will have less revenue, and points for spend will be cut significantly.

 

[SeaWolf]

Im coming across more stores that have only recently incorporated surcharges.
This has to stop.

What really kicked it up into high gear was when the payment service providers starting building the surcharge system into the payment terminal software. Before that it was a hassle to add it on and far fewer places did it. But once it was in the software it became much easier and the providers started advertising that it was "free" for the business, cause now it was an extra cost for the customer.
Then they started bundling in extra services into the cost as well...

 

[Mr_Orange]

What really kicked it up into high gear was when the payment service providers starting building the surcharge system into the payment terminal software.

Yes indeed, but the terminals do not display the surcharge or the total including the surcharge before you tap/insert. The price displayed is the base cost which is surely illegal when one ends up paying more.

Displaying a small sign saying, "A surcharge may apply" is not good enough. Will it or won't and, if it will, how much is it?

 

[SeaWolf]

Displaying a small sign saying, "A surcharge may apply" is not good enough. Will it or won't and, if it will, how much is it?

I agree, I can't think of any other situation where you're told one price then charged a higher one and it's OK.
The worst is the Lightspeed terminals, they're completely silent about the surcharge, not displaying a warning or the adjusted price at any time. The only way you'd know it happened is if you look closely at the paper receipt or check your statement.

 

[JohnK]

What really kicked it up into high gear was when the payment service providers starting building the surcharge system into the payment terminal software.

I posted on AFF where I'd spent $98 at Cocos in Brisbane and used Amex to pay and after I tapped it showed the total bill as $100. They did not charge a surcharge previously and the surcharge was a total surprise to me.

I'd actually considered cancelling transaction and paying cash but didn't go through as it would have been a hassle.

Note the points are useless to me as firstly I do not earn enough points and secondly can not use the points for anything decent.